I had a Shoei 800 for far too many years and when it came time to replace it, I was going to buy the Shoei RF1000.
However, after moving back to the Midwest where the summer temps and humidity levels can make a helmet rather unpleasant, I opted to try a helmet with more ventilation. So, I tried the ICON RECON helmet. What a disappointment. Despite tons of vents, the helmet just didn't breath. I even took the helmet out on 20 degree days with 75mph blast down the interstate and barely felt any chill on my skull. No big deal, just a bit frustrating. The death blow for the helmet was the noise. My earplugs needed earplugs for all the wind noise created and if you tried to take a look around, it felt like the thing was being ripped off my head. Plus, the liner would be moist after an hour or more of riding.
So, I started my helmet research again. I was severely tempted by the helmets with integrated visors but I really wasn't willing to roll the dice on an untested helmet. Combine that with very limited selection in a non-helmet state and refusal for test drives, I decided to stay with what I know.
I was just about to buy a RF1000 when I picked up the UK BIKE mag and noticed a SHOEI
PR release on the new QWEST. The Qwest was designed with touring in mind - cooling in upright riding positions and quiet. Integrated visor be damned, I wanted the quiet.
SHOEI QWEST | SHOEI Qwest Touring Helmet
So, I ordered one up and it arrived last week. AHHH, Shoei again!! The helmet fit wonderfully and there is plenty of open space around the ears to accommodate eyewear and earbugs, if I so desired. There is a nice squeeze of the padding on my jawline but its not annoying.
Quiet, yep, it is really quiet though it generates a whistle at certain angles at freeway speeds. My next ride, I will close the vents and see if it goes away. Wind buffeting is not to bad and a set of earplugs should make what wind noise is present a thing of the past. Turning to look behind me for on coming cars does cause a bit of wind pull/lift at freeway speeds but its not bad compared to the RECON.
Venting, well, I am not convinced it really works. I tried various angles to try and see if I could notice any airflow. I noticed some but no WOW this thing really breathes type of sensation. I was out on a 90 degree, sunny day for about 2 hours and the helmet liner was dry when I returned, so it must be working. I will wait for my New Years Day ride to really give those vents a try.
I wouldn't call the Qwest light when compared to the carbon/kevlar BMW lid I tried when I was in South Africa but the Qwest is not heavy either. I have only ridden about a hundred miles in it so far and I am very pleased with the decreased DB levels.
Anyone interested in a 2 year old Icon Recon? Plant holder, footstool???
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